Wednesday 21 October 2009

Support for the postal workers


On Monday night the London Federation of Green Parties unanimously passed the following motion at the request of the Green Party Trade Union Group, of which I am Treasurer. The point was also made that the CWU is one of the trade unions with the strongest policies on environmental issues and that its struggle to protect public services is very much in line with that of the Green Party.


The Green Party Trade Union Group will continue to work closely with the CWU and other unions on a number of issues including the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Conference, where Tony Kearns of the CWU always plays a major part.


It is also now clear that Royal Mail is trying to smash the trade union and reduce workers' pay and conditions. Mandelson, who is the author of the plans for part privatisation of the Royal Mail, can only appeal for both sides to go to ACAS. Kate Hoey, the Labour MP, against whom I am standing in Vauxhall, said at a CWU rally some months ago that she was not surprised that the London region of the CWU was holding a ballot on disaffiliation from the Labour Party, as the Labour Party had done nothing to support them. In the interim, that is how the London region has voted. As Kate is sponsored by the CWU, I trust that she will speak out clearly and directly to give support to the union in this struggle. The Green Party certainly has.


“The LondonFederation of Green Parties states its support for a universal postal service and its support for in its dispute with Royal Mail management. Are using the 10% fall in postal communication relative to digital an excuse to force through cuts to postal workers earnings often using threats and intimidation and wrecking conditions of service.


This is a difficult time to be a postal worker, but postal workers continue to deliver a vital public service. They are, through their Union, willing to negotiate reforms but are not prepared to be bullied.The national agreement that resolved the 2007 dispute stipulates the continuing provision of reasonable local earnings levels and that to assist development of a fourth Phase of Royal Mail modernisation, consultation and negotiation will take place. Management are not currently complying.


GPTU therefore supports the CWU decision to ballot on national strike action.In the event of a CWU national strike we call on GP members to support CWU picket lines “

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